Thursday, January 17, 2013

ヤナギヤ (Yanagiya in Morioka)

I was, as is usual in these countryside towns I visit for work, toured around by a local. This was the final stop on a mega-食べ歩き night.

The key is that the kimchi and natto are blended with the soup, as opposed to being simple toppings.

I don't hate natto, but it isn't something I care for much in it's slimy, natural state. Blended with the soup, though, and all that remained was a slight essence of the stuff. A whiff of stinky, fermented soy beans if you will.

Yes, I will!

Wait, what's that on top?

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the rare cheese topping. It was odd for sure, and I don't know if I can recommend it. The sweetness of the local cheese, the stinky natto, the spicy kimchi, and the creamy miso. A lot going on. If you want complicated, this is for you!